The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its new global seasonal climate update, announcing that El Niño conditions have formed in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strengthen rapidly in the coming months.
The report predicts a strong El Niño developing between July and September 2026. A steady increase in sea surface temperatures has been observed in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said El Niño conditions have already formed and are expected to rapidly strengthen into a powerful phenomenon. Saulo said, "This will increase the likelihood of drought and extreme rainfall in many parts of the world, as well as the risk of heatwaves on land and at sea."
The WMO has launched an unprecedented mobilization effort to support climate-sensitive sectors, governments and humanitarian organizations, coordinating at the United Nations level and with regional bodies. Saulo added, "Improved seasonal forecasts and early warning systems are vital to save lives and mitigate impacts on economies and societies."
The equatorial part of the Atlantic basin is also expected to remain generally warmer than average.
What are El Niño and La Niña?
El Niño is a weather phenomenon occurring in the Pacific Ocean that leads to a rise in global temperatures, particularly in coastal regions.
La Niña is the opposite phenomenon, meaning cooler weather conditions for the planet. During the transition between the two, neutral, or normal, weather conditions prevail.
